Nate's VBS Update and Photos/Xrays

[nate03]

My daughter's surgeon, Dr Luhmann in St Louis (partners with Lenke and Bridwell) has also had great success with VBS, and he told me he has an article being published in 2011 with his results so far. I found it very interesting that he has had great success doing VBS alone on curves up to 40 degrees--he has not found a need to add the hybrid rod. I am looking forward to that article, and once it is published I will post the abstract here. Dr Luhmann has done at least 45 VBS surgeries, which I am guessing is more than any other doctor aside from those at Shriners Philadelphia.

That is great news, and I am happy to say that Nate would fit right into Dr. Luhman's stats for success on curves up to 40 degrees. I will be anxiously awaiting his article!! I will be interested to see the number of lumbar versus thoracic curves also, as statistically so far the lumbar curves have been even more successful with the stapling.

[mariaf]

That is great news, and I am happy to say that Nate would fit right into Dr. Luhman's stats for success on curves up to 40 degrees.

David would fit into those statistics as well - and he is nearly 6 and a half years post-op! Hard to believe it's been that long since his surgery - time flies!

I, too, look forward to reading this article.

[nate03]

Hi Cara,

I have attached Leah's pre-op x-ray measured at 30 degrees, and her one-month post-op x-ray, measured at 18 degrees. I am thrilled with how good her back looks. She is beyone thrilled to be entirely brace-free.

Take care,

Hi Gayle- I just now finally got to see Leah's xrays, and her back looks amazing! Thanks so much for sharing these xrays, info like this is so helpful to other families who are trying to learn about the options available today!

Please continue to keep us posted, I am looking forward to hearing about many more positive reports for her!

Cara

[stephanieC]

Hi Cara,

Nate's story is one of the most inspirational, or maybe it is your story that I always find so inspirational. Throughout Nate's journey you have always kept amazing faith and strength, even when Nate was... well... at times... a bit difficult, headstrong and a little non compliant... LOL yes, it is your story that is so inspirational!!!

He sure has a beautiful back now!!!

Stephanie

[nate03]

Hi Stephanie,

I haven't been on the forum in a bit - trying to enjoy the last days of summer! It was such a hot summer here this year, I am still so grateful that Nate could enjoy long days at the beach without the worry of a brace ~ he is really into surfing now! And now that he is heading off to high school, I just know compliancy would have been a huge problem, and he still has so much growth ahead of him.....it would have been a long battle!

Thanks so much for your kind words. Encouraging friends like you have made such a difference in this journey, it is SO important to keep a positive attitude, which as we both know can be a challenge some days but is the best we can do for our kids :-)

-Cara

[leahdragonfly]

enjoying a brace-free summer

Hi Cara,

Leah has enjoyed such an active and happy summer without her brace, too. She is such an active kid--not quite to the extent of Nate's extreme sports, but she swims, clims trees, runs, plays with her 5 y/o brother, etc.

She participated in summer day camp through the local university kids program, and they kept her and her brother incredibly active with sports, bowling, field games, soccer, archery, rock climbing, martial arts, dance, gymnastics, cooking, training and running a 5K, and more I am forgetting. She has done all of these activities without complaint or pain, and loves it. She could never enjoy all these activities in the brace, and I am thrilled that we don't have our daily struggles with brace compliance. I don't miss all the tears, drama and arguing about wearing the brace.

We have our 6-month post-op x-rays coming up in November. Her back looks very good now, very balanced. I will post her next set of x-rays in November.

[stephanieC]

Hi Gayle,

I am so happy for you and Leah!!! What a difference a year can make!! After all you guys have been thru, it must be incredible for you to watch her running around so carefree!!

Stephanie

[mariaf]

I just wanted to say that I remember so well that first summer when David was allowed to run outside and play in the heat with just a tank top and NO BRACE. It was an incredible feeling - and one that I'm sure only those who have been there can truly understand

[Elisa]

Cara, that video was really interesting and is the first time I've heard anything about stapling. I guess if there's only a few hospitals in the US that perform this, then I'm sure there's probably zilch in Canada. Must say though, your son's athletics scare me b/c I've got a computer nerd boy here, lol.

[leahdragonfly]

Update on Leah--one year post-op

Hi all,

One year has passed since Leah's VBS, and we are thrilled with her latest x-rays. Her thoracic curve is now 12 degrees, down from 17 degrees six months ago (and 30 degrees pre-VBS).

Leah is 100% pain free and has never had to wear a brace since surgery. She is a very active girl who runs/jumps/swims/climbs to her heart's content. She has grown 3 inches since her surgery. We are thrilled with her result from the stapling surgery. We are hoping to wait a full year for her next x-ray, depending on what Dr Luhmann says. See x-ray below:

Leah May 2011.jpg

[nate03]

Hi Gayle -
I am so thrilled to hear how well Leah is doing! That x-ray says it all, AWESOME! Thanks for sharing this happy news.
Nate has an appt coming up in a few weeks, and I expect a great report for him as well..........keep you posted!
-Cara

[leahdragonfly]

Thanks, Cara! We are just so thrilled at this point. Sorry to join Nate's thread...I was going to post separately on Leah's progress but most of her VBS story is contained here, so I hope you don't mind. I will try to get a separate thread made for her updates.

I've been wondering about how Nate was doing, and I will look forward to an update on his next appt.

Take care,

[nate03]

It's great to post their stories together Gayle!

I had been meaning to send you a message over the past week, and hadn't gotten to it yet, so I was very happy to see this post from you (I had subscribed to this thread previously, so I got notification). I truly hope you are also feeling well!

-Cara

[Pooka1]

Wow Gayle that radiograph is amazing!! Remarkable, great result.

Congratulations to you and Cara on your results. These VBS guys are amazing.

[Resilience]

congratulations Gayle and Leah! your XRays are beautiful!